Dennis the Menace is an 1986 cartoon American animated series produced by General Mills, based on the comic strip by Hank Ketcham.

The series was originally aired in syndication in the U.S., distributed by General Mills. The second season aired on Saturday mornings on CBS. Each half-hour show consists of three six or seven minute shorts. The show was sponsored by General Mills.

In the newspaper cartoon and comic book series, Dennis's parents were aggressive towards him, usually forcing him to sit in the corner whenever he was caught into mischief. However, in the cartoon series, Dennis almost never got punished, and any consequences he received were nowhere near as harsh. This format may be due to U.S. laws enacted by the 1970s forbidding aggressive behavior in any form from being shown on Saturday morning cartoons and all children's programming.

Joey McDonald, Dennis's best friend. Voiced by Jeannie Elias and in the present years was voiced by Alex Garfin.

Tommy Anderson, Dennis's other best friend. Also voiced by Jeannie Elias. He was retired in Season 2. He was returned in the present years he was voiced by Trenton Rogers.

Margaret Wade, Dennis's nemesis, a goody-goody girl in the neighborhood. Also voiced by Jeannie Elias and in the present years was voiced by Tracey Moore.

Gina Gillotti, Dennis's tomboyish, yet warm and feminine friend. Voiced by Donna Christie in Season 1 and Sharon Noble in Season 2. and in the present years was voiced by Francesca Angelucci Capaldi.

PeeBee Kappa, Dennis' friend and resident genius and technology freak. His name is a play on Phi Beta Kappa. Voiced by Marilyn Lightstone. and in the present years was voiced by Marelik 'Mar Mar' Walker.

Jay Weldon, Dennis's "too-tall" friend who loves to play basketball. Voiced by Riva Spier. He was not seen in the comic strip.

Ruff, the Mitchells' family dog. speaking voice was provided by Brent Titcomb with his vocal effects was provided by Phil Hartman in Season 1 and Maurice LaMarche in Season 2.

Hot Dog, the Mitchells' family cat. speaking voice was provided by Lennie Weinrib with his vocal effects was provided by Don Brown Had at least two appearances in the series, and had a voice role in "Dennis in Wonderland", as the Cheshire Cat.